What is a priest, biblically speaking?

Now I think we all have a general idea of what a priest does or is supposed to do - there are many false priests in this world. He is a mediator, a go-between, someone who is able to bring a person to God. It is useful in some ways to think about prophets and priests together.

What is a prophet? He is a person who speaks to us on God's behalf. He is, as it were, the mouth of God to us.

What is a priest? He is a person who speaks to God on our behalf. He is, as it were, our means of coming to God.

More specifically, in Hebrews 5:1-4 we read these words

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So there are a number of things here.

1. He has to be a human being. It can't be an angel or an animal for that matter. It has to be one of the people. Every high priest is selected from among the people.

2. You cannot choose to be a priest. It is an appointment made by God. And no one takes this honour on himself, says the writer to the Hebrews but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

3. He is chosen to be the people's representative in anything to do with God. He is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God.

4. He offers gifts and sacrifices designed to remove sins. To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

5. The Old Testament priests were involved in teaching the people about the law. In 2 Chronicles 17:9 we read of how in the reign of Jehoshaphat he sent out Levites who taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. This comes out in other places and here the writer talks about the priest being able to deal gently with those who are ignorant suggesting a teaching role.

6. The Old Testament priests sought to turn the people to God and here it speaks of the people not only being ignorant but going astray.

7. Two other things come out of an examination of the Old Testament priesthood that we ought to note.

Firstly, the Old Testament priests had a duty to keep the Temple holy. This comes out in 2 Chronicles 23:6 No one is to enter the temple of the LORD except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the others are to observe the LORD's command not to enter. Or think of how in 2 Chronicles 29:5 Hezekiah says Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the LORD, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.

8. Secondly, it was also the privilege of the Levites and the priests to come regularly into the direct presence of God in the Temple.

Eight things then – firstly, qualifications: being a human being and being appointed by God, then the role itself - being in a representative capacity, and thirdly what is involved - giving gifts and making sacrifices, teaching people the law and turning them to God, maintaining holiness and being in the presence of God.